Essential pharmaceutical services in each local authority across East Sussex are satisfactory, according to the latest Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) report.
The report, which did not identify gaps in essential pharmacy services in the county, was conducted using detailed travel time analyses and local surveys of pharmacy providers and dispensaries.
The report informs NHS England’s decisions about opening new pharmacies and commissioning of pharmaceutical services, including the development and improvement of pharmaceutical services in East Sussex.
The PNA report was approved by East Sussex County Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board on 29 September.
A number of recommendations were made by the Board following the approval of the PNA report, including:
- Improving choice in the evenings and weekends could be achieved by commissioning an extended hours service from existing providers, particularly in Lewes, Rother and Wealden council areas
- Better access to necessary services in evenings and at weekends could also be enabled by improvements in public transport in rural East Sussex
- Current plans for housing developments in the county would not require a new pharmacy
Trends in the number of pharmacies have shown a gradual reduction at national and regional level since the last report in 2017.
The public consultation indicated that the purpose of the PNA report is well understood and is sufficient in informing the NHS about market entry decisions and commissioning future services.